Joaquin gives Betis long-awaited home win over Sevilla

SEVILLE, Spain -- Veteran Real Betis midfielder Joaquin Sanchez came off the bench to score the only goal to give his side a 1-0 win over city rivals Sevilla on Sunday and end a 12-year wait for a home victory in the local derby.

Joaquin, 37, became the oldest scorer in a Seville top-flight derby when he rose to head home at the near post in the 79th minute, shortly after the visitors had had midfielder Roque Mesa sent off for two bookings.

Betis went into the derby under pressure after taking only a point from their first two games and made an intense start as Cristian Tello and Loren went close to scoring, while Sergio Canales had a goal ruled out for offside after the video assistant referee (VAR) was consulted.

Sevilla nearly scored through Franco Vazquez and Gabriel Mercado but handed their rivals an extra man advantage when Mesa was booked for fouling goalkeeper Pau Lopez, and Joaquin took full advantage to the delight of the 60,000 supporters inside the packed Benito Villamarin stadium.

"This was the dream derby, even though I've played in many of them, this is what I dreamed of," said Joaquin, who is in his second spell at boyhood club Betis. "Scoring in front of my fans, I couldn't have asked for more."